Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council

The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council is a nonprofit operating in Providence, Rhode Island, that creates positive environmental, social and economic change by revitalizing the Woonasquatucket River, its Greenway and its communities.

The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) sparks economic development through our work restoring the Woonasquatucket River and communities around it, and by enhancing, extending and bringing people to the Woonasquatucket River Greenway. The WRWC is a successful model of community revitalization that helps people discover this local American Heritage River and its natural resources, channeling life and economic development into neighborhoods. Today, we can see results, but there’s so much more to do. Your support will help ensure that the Woonasquatucket continues to be a source of fun, healthy communities, relaxation, opportunity and vibrant places for all.

The Greenway:

The Woonasquatucket River Greenway is a catalyst for renewal along the Woonasquatucket River in Providence, Johnston and North Smithfield – three of the six municipalities touched by the Woonasquatucket River Watershed. The Woonasquatucket River Greenway is Rhode Island’s only funky, urban bike path, linking parks and green spaces for the enjoyment of neighborhood residents and people from across our watershed towns. Restoration All of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council’s work is about restoring and protecting the Woonasquatucket River. Our Natives & Invasives, Green Infrastructure, Fish Passage, Centerdale Superfund, and Monitoring projects directly focus on the river’s ecosystem. Learn more here about how to support WRWC’s efforts in restoring water and land habitat around the Woonasquatucket River!

Red Shed Bike Programs:

The Red Shed is the home of the WRWC Bike Education Programs. The goal of the Red Shed is to grow more Woony River Heroes – making biking accessible to kids and families in neighborhoods along the Woony River Greenway and beyond. We work with cyclists of all ages and skill levels, from first time riders, to those with years of experience. Red Shed gives our students, neighbors, and fellow Rhode Islanders, the skills and information they need to be safe and confident cyclists so that they can enjoy nature close to home. These programs are accessible to all Rhode Islanders, regardless of income, education, or background. 

Environmental Education:

The WRWC brings environmental education to all levels of students in the watershed. Our programs immerse students in high quality, hands-on, STEAM activities in order to harness a passion for their natural resources and empower them to take action in their own communities. We also focus on the “Dos and Don’ts of the Woonasquatucket” in order to keep watershed communities safe. We now reach over 2,000 youth in grades K-12 and aim to engage with all students of the watershed.

Community Programs:

• Nuevas Voces/New VoicesNuevas Voces is a program and network that builds leadership and advocacy for environmental justice among the residents of riverfront neighborhoods near downtown Providence, RI with acute public health, stormwater, flooding, transportation, toxic exposure, and heat challenges. To address these challenges, Nuevas Voces centers resident aspirations and concerns in co-governance with municipal and state agencies, environmental coalitions, and other groups. Nuevas Voces leaders work to ensure that their most affected neighbors have the greatest say in community development, resource allocation, and emergency preparedness at all levels, including in WRWC’s work. Nuevas Voces participants are compensated financially for their participation and ongoing efforts, and provided with additional supports such as childcare, Chromebooks and hotspots.
• Olneyville Resilience Hub. What is a Resilience Hub? Resilience Hubs are shared community spaces and resources for residents to come together in times of emergency for shelter, services, and provisions and throughout the year to learn about and take action for environmental resilience, economic security and community health. The Olneyville Resilience Hub is works collaboratively with residents and partners and looks forward to inviting the public to join in its startup activities, operations and direction in attending to community aspirations and concerns. 
• Campeones de Combate Climático (Campeones) or Climate Champions is a group of resident leaders, all Spanish speaking graduates of WRWC’s Nuevas Voces program, ready to learn about and get involved with all nature-based climate resilience projects around the Olneyville neighborhood.

Recreation: This year, join the WRWC as we explore the full length of the 19-mile Woonasquatucket River–from top to bottom, North Smithfield to Downtown Providence. We’ll paddle, bike and hike, highlighting the different types of environments as we explore the length of this Rhode Island treasure.

River Rangers: The WRWC River Rangers are a year-round team of professionals with a summer youth team. They are the dedicated heartbeat of the Woony River Greenway, constantly working on projects that sustain, improve and expand the Greenway and its parks. Each year, we hire youth and adults from our area neighborhoods. We hire and train them to steward our 7 miles and 5 parks along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway and work hand in hand with our Clean Days volunteers. Each Ranger joins the team for a different reason. They all gain professional, technical, and personal skills. It is our hope that they also leave with a deepened sense of stewardship for the environment. Support WRWC so we can continue to employ this amazing team of stewards!